City Connect Detroit: Bio

Michael DiRamio joined the City Connect Team in July 2007, and is currently a Program Officer with the organization. Michael first learned of City Connect Detroit through his work with food systems and after meeting Dierk Hall at the Kellogg Foundation’s Food and Society Conference. He currently works with the Knight Foundation’s North End Collaborative, Food and Fitness Collaborative, and the Detroit Area Agency on Aging’s Long-Term Care Collaborative.

Prior to working at City Connect Detroit, Michael worked as a public policy consultant, focusing on food systems, community and economic development and health issues, and facilitated collaborative partnerships, program development and strategic communications. Michael co-founded and served as Deputy Director of the Food System Economic Partnership in Ann Arbor, a nonprofit serving Southeast Michigan that takes a regional approach to food systems, and encourages urban and rural community partnerships, agricultural development opportunities, and a healthy local food economy.

Originally hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, Michael moved to Michigan in 2002 when he entered University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment Master’s program. Prior to Michigan, Michael earned his Bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University in Connecticut. Between earning degrees, Michael spent ten months living and teaching English in Rome, Italy traveling throughout Europe and also took an unforgettable cross-country drive, a trip he recommends to anyone with the time.

New to Detroit, Michael enjoys getting acquainted with the city, and loves the positive energy and creativity of the people he meets. In addition to serving on the Michigan Food and Farming Systems Board of Directors, Michael enjoys a myriad of hobbies including gardening, hiking, camping, and yoga. In his practice of the latter, he traveled to India for three weeks as part of a pilgrimage and yoga retreat. Michael loves to travel and perform improv comedy and community theater whenever he can. He currently resides in Ann Arbor with his wife and daughter, who are the center of his life.

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